216 TEAVELS IN AFRICA, Chap, LXXVIII. 
over this once busy locality, which, according to the 
unanimous statements of former writers, was the most 
splendid city of Negroland, though it is now the 
desolate abode of a small and miserable population. 
Just opposite to my tent, towards the south, lay the 
ruined massive tower, the last remains of the prin- 
cipal mosque, or jingere-ber, of the capital, the sepul- 
chre of the great conqueror Mohammed. All around 
the wide open area where we were encamped, was 
woven a rich corona of vegetation, among which, in 
the clear light of the morning, I discovered different 
species of trees that I had long ago lost sight of ; 
such as date palms, tamarind trees, ngabore or syca- 
mores, and even the silk-cotton tree, although the 
specimens of the latter plant were rather poor and 
of small growth. 
Having enjoyed the scenery for some time, I went 
with my young Shuwa lad, in order to obtain a sight 
of the river, of which as yet I had seen nothing here. 
Emerging from the fine group of trees, I found that 
only a very small creek without an outlet at the pre- 
sent season, closely approached the town, while an 
extensive swampy lowland extended far into the river. 
But for several months in the year this lowland is 
inundated, with the exception, perhaps, of a few spots 
Avhich rise to a greater height, and are adorned with 
talha trees. 
At present the name of Gaw6 is given not only to 
the site of the former capital, but also to the island, 
and even to the opposite shore of A'ribmda ; and I 
